10 Reasons Why You Might Fall In Love With The Harley-Davidson Trikes

Launching the Trike was a challenge for Harley-Davidson. Because three-wheeled motorcycles are not very popular and are often regarded as vehicles for the elderly and disabled. But Harley had a bigger inspiration to proceed with this project, and that was the Servi-Car. Launched in 1931, this three-wheeled motorcycle was primarily aimed at businesses making cross-town deliveries. The bike was an instant hit, and it remained in Harley’s lineup for 41 years, one of the longest in Harley’s history.

Inspired by this success, Harley launched the Trike for public use in 1999, and the first model was the Tri Glide Ultra Classic. Harley’s Trikes retain the classic Harley styling and engine but have two wheels in the rear instead of just one. Powered by Harley’s big V-twin engines, they provide ample torque for confident acceleration and cruising. The three-wheel setup makes them more stable in turns and appeals to riders who want the Harley look and feel but have balance or flexibility issues that would otherwise prevent them from riding a two-wheeled bike.

Over the years, additional models have been added to the lineup, including the latest Road Glide 3. One of the main reasons behind Trike’s popularity is its stability and super-easy handling characteristics. But that’s not all; this three-wheeled wonder has so many qualities that make you fall head over heels for it. And we are about to reveal those in this article.

All information in this article is sourced from Harley-Davidson

10 Stylish and Functional Design

Package Of Comfort, Tech, And Style

This awesome three-wheeled machine from H-D is offered in three variants. We can call them the Trike trio: the Freewheeler, the Road Glide 3, and the Tri Glide Ultra. While all of them use the same Milwaukee-Eight 114 engines, they are significantly different from each other in terms of design. The base version of the Freewheeler is the cheapest trike available with all-black trim. This is also the lightest trike, with hot-rod styling and mini-ape hanger handlebars.

The mid-range Road Glide 3 is a combination of the regular Road Glide model at the front with a two-wheeled rear. While the rear part is almost similar to the Freewheeler, the front features the signature wind tunnel-tested shark-nose fairing with Daymaker LED headlamps.

Prices Of Trike Variants

(Sourced from Harley-Davidson)

The Tri-Glide Ultra is the top-tier Trike model with some premium features. The first thing to talk about is the enormous storage space powered by Tour-Pak. This model is also equipped with some cool color options. Like the regular Ultra Glide model, the front of the Tri-Glide is garnished with a fork-mounted batwing fairing with pressure-equalizing ducts to reduce buffeting. This model is particularly attractive for the passenger behind you because the Tour-Pak storage box allowed designers to add a comfy backrest for the pillion.

9 Attention To Detail

More Appealing To The Younger Generation

Harley is increasingly trying to be more appealing to the younger generation. The latest sports category is an example of that venture. However, it was difficult with a motorcycle category like Trike because three-wheeled machines are stereotypically believed to be for old people who are not confident or physically fit enough to operate a two-wheeled bike.

Harley answered this problem by giving the Trike a modern outlook. For example, a blacked-out option is now available for Freewheeler and Road Glide models, together with chrome trim. The blacked-out trim is growing popular among Harley lovers, as are many other models from the manufacturer, and Harley definitely wants that magic to work for the Trike. Several sporty characters are also added to the design detail. For example, the Bobtail rear fenders and slash-cut exhaust pipes.

Multiple cool color options are also available for all the models to serve different tastes. Besides, trikes are now full of tech features, electronic rider assistance, and safety systems.

8 Effortless Handling

The Confidence And Comfort Of Three Wheels

Some bikes are easier to handle than others and make for better entry-level models. Trike motorcycles are easier to handle. The maximum effort in handling a motorcycle goes into turning the machine or maneuvering through traffic while maintaining optimum body balance, lean angle, and speed. A slight fluctuation in these parameters can result in a fall. But with Trike, this is not a problem at all. Turning the trike is much like driving a car; just turn the handle in the direction you want to go, and that’s all.

Trikes remove the need to balance, opening riding to nervous new riders and aging riders worried about strength to handle heavy bikes. With three wheels being grounded, Trikes avoid tipping over, letting riders focus on the road rather than worrying about falling. The self-balancing design drives Trikes’ widespread appeal.

7 Cutting-Edge Tech Features

All Square Infotainment By Boom-Box GTS

The Harleys of today have a good number of amazing features. The trikes are no exception, and all three models are loaded with a number of electronic rider safety features, but for that, we have a separate section in this article. In this section, we will primarily focus on rider assistance and entertainment. On the rider assistance part, cruise control and electronic reverse gear are standard on all three models of Trike.

The Freewheeler is an old-school charm, which means the dash is only equipped with an analog gauge and a tiny LCD screen showing essential vehicle information. So you have to bring your own phone, portable speakers, GPS, etc. to listen to music and navigate. However, this simplicity allows you to enjoy the surrounding view on the way.

Infotainment System

(Sourced from Harley-Davidson)

Things get interesting on the infotainment part once you upgrade to the upper versions of Road Glide 3 and Tri-Glide Ultra. Both machines feature a full-color TFT with the Boom-Box GTS infotainment system. This system is connected to a 25-watt speaker system and has AM/FM and navigation compatibility.

6 Hi-Tech Safety Features

Trike-Specific Rider Safety Enhancement

It is much easier to explain what the Trikes don’t have for rider safety because they have everything. The Trikes’ rider safety system is governed by the Trike-specific Reflex Defensive Rider System (RDRS), which includes a group of cutting-edge technologies to match motorcycle performance to available traction during acceleration, deceleration, and braking.

The best part is that the base version of Freewheeler has all the rider safety systems that the top version, Tri Glide Ultra, has. This reflects Harley’s commitment to rider safety, irrespective of the model chosen. However, only for the Tri Glide model, Harley is offering a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in addition to others.

Standard Safety Features

• Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking (C-ELB)
• Cornering Enhanced ABS (C-ABS)
• Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS)
• Cornering Enhanced Drag-Torque Slip Control System (C-DSCS).

5 Incredibly Powerful Engine

The Roar Of Milwaukee-Eight

For 2024, all three Trikes will continue with their Milwaukee-Eight 114 hearts. The 114 was the biggest displacement engine offered by Harley until the 117 became the top of the food chain in 2019. The Trikes have had 114 engines since 2017, which is a significant improvement from the previous Twin Cam 103. Harley-Davidson has been making better performance engines for a while now.

The Milwaukee-Eight engine has eight valves per cylinder, which is twice the number of valves of the Twin Cam engines. This increase in the number of valves resulted in increased exhaust and intake flow capacity and a significant boost in power output. More torque is definitely there; besides, the 114 makes the Trike even more magnificent with faster throttle response, improved fuel economy, and better sound.

Engine Specifications

(Sourced from Harley-Davidson)

4 Ultimate Touring Solution

Unmatched Storage Capacity

The Trikes offer ultimate touring comfort and storage thanks to their three-wheeled design. Storage is an important aspect on bikes meant for longer rides. The rear two-wheel setup allows for a lot of space, and Harley engineers made good use of it by providing an integrated high-volume trunk to carry everything you need for a long tour.

The Freewheeler and Road-Glide 3 have similar storage capacities, but the top-spec Tri-Glide Ultra comes with an injection-molded Tour-Pak luggage carrier along with the trunk below. This makes the Tri-Glide the ultimate touring solution, with enormous storage space.

Storage Specifications

(Sourced from Harley-Davidson)

3 Superior Riding Comfort

Inspiring Longer On-Road Time

Trike offers an amazing level of comfort that is unimaginable on two-wheeled motorcycles. The three-wheel design offers better stability on the road. Also, it frees the rider from the physical strain of continuously balancing a heavy machine, particularly in slow-moving traffic and stop lights. The seats are from the touring models, which are known to be wide and comfortable.

The suspension setup for the Trikes is specifically designed for touring with manual adjustability. This high-performance suspension setup offers a smooth riding experience and handles bumps efficiently without sending many shock waves in your way. The wheels are also made of lightweight cast aluminum, which offers easy handling.

All the models come standard with rider and passenger floorboards for enhanced comfort, and the Tri-Glide model is equipped with heated grips. The seats on all models are plush and thickly cushioned for a comfortable long ride. The deep rider seat provides ample back support, but on the Tri-Glide, the passenger is the king (or queen). Because the passenger seat comes with a backrest.

2 Advanced Braking Power

Electronic Linked Braking (ELB)

The Trikes are equipped with Electronic Linked Braking (ELB), which offers superior stopping power with enhanced safety. The ELB system connects the front and rear brakes of the motorcycle, allowing for enhanced braking performance. When the rider activates either the front-hand brake lever or the rear-foot brake pedal, the ELB system applies braking power to both the front and rear wheels. This balanced braking effort can help the rider stop more effectively.

Brake Specification

(Sourced from Harley-Davidson)

The system provides progressive linking of the brakes based on brake pressure. During hard braking, more linking occurs to balance the front and rear brake forces. During lighter braking at lower speeds, the system reduces linking for more independent control of each brake. Additionally, the Cornering ELB (C-ELB) feature adjusts the front-rear brake balance when braking through corners, taking into account motorcycle lean angle and lateral forces. This helps maintain stability and the intended path through turns during braking.

1 Modification Accessories

Make Your Own Dream Trike

The last attraction is the wide range of customization options Harley is offering to make your dream Trike. You can choose any model and transform it with the required accessories. For example, the base Freewheeler doesn’t have wind protection, but an optional windscreen is available to make your Trike more highway-worthy. Just be careful not to go overboard with these.

As mentioned, multiple modification options are available for all Trike models which you can directly choose from the manufacturer’s website. These modifications include cosmetic options, such as color choices or trim levels, as well as functional and performance-enhancing accessories such as air breathers.

Optional Accessories

• Leather passenger backrest.
• Luggage rack.
• Seat
• Trike saddlebags
• Heated grips
• Footboard kit
• Engine guard kit
• Air breather
• And many more.